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What is AMARC ?

AMARC is an international non-governmental organization serving the community radio movement, with almost 4 000 members and associates in 130 countries.

Its goal is to support and contribute to the development of community and participatory radio along the principals of solidarity and international cooperation. All continents are represented on AMARC's International Board of Directors.

Once upon a time, in 1983...

AMARC is growing so fast that its founders do not often notice the passage of time. In 1998, this formidable community radio world movement celebrated its 15th anniversary. In effect, it was in 1983 that a group of community radio fans met spontaneously in Montreal, only to realise at the meeting that there was already an embryonic world movement which brought them together.

At the 1986 2nd World Assembly which took place in Vancouver, in the west coast of Canada, what was initially a spontaneous movement officially became a non-governmental organisation.

In 1988, at the 3rd World Assembly in Managua, the Association acquired the status of Non-Governmental Organization. In Dublin, in 1990, the debates taking place at the 4th AMARC World Conference focused on the confirmation of the right to communicate. It was also in Dublin that a group of women proposed the creation of an international network of women working in the field of community radio.

But it was only at the Oaxtepec Conference, held in Mexico in 1992, that the International Women's Network was launched, together with AMARC's International Solidarity Network.

In Dakar, the 6th AMARC World Conference confirmed the existence of a locally rooted movement, with strong and independent regional offices evolving effectively in a context of world globalisation.

AMARC's 7th Conference, which took place in Milan during the summer of 1998, followed the lines laid down at the Dakar Conference, allowing the organisation to cross three new frontiers: the legal frontier, by discussing new international law's recognition of community media; the technical frontier, by helping members to meet technological challenges and by enabling community radio collaboration with other media with a similar vocation; and, the geographical frontier, by making a breakthrough into Asia and the Arab countries.

The Katmandu's 8th Conference of AMARC was the largest gathering of community broadcasters to take place in the region, becoming a cornerstone for the development of the community radio movement in Asia-Pacific. As well, participants in the event endorsed the organisation's Strategic Plan of Action for the period 2003-2006.

The Kathmandu Declaration was the final document ensuing from the discussions and adopted by the General Assembly.